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Double Bass Pointers for a cheaper combo amp

clochard

clochard

Dec 31, 2005
76
0
Montréal, QC, CA.
www.milesages.net
#1
Greetings folks,

i'm back from the newbie tread, in which i got lost, considering the type of info i'm after.

Here goes: can you wonderful and benevolent dbassists point me to some more accessible amps / combo amps for the DB, or simply for acoustic instruments. I'm new to electric amplification in general, and need an amp (sigh).

NOTE: Even tho i was convinced by the times i've played on a contra, i must settle for less.

Enjoy your basses and thanks in advance for the help.
 
#2
what is your budget? The GK mb's can be found used often under $600.
What pickup are you using? I have had very good success with the new fender bassman 100 and my string charger (magnetic pu).
It certainly isn't anything like my contra with the golden trinity mic blended with an underwood, but it's good for what it is.
I'll take the fender to gigs where I'll double or rehearsals to save on the gear lugging. It has a lineout so you can run through the house for larger gigs. I got it for $330 brand new. You'd need a nice preamp and some patience if you'd like to use a piezo pickup with this amp. Put it has a nice punchy 10" speaker. And sounds really, really nice for electric bass.
 
#3
I used a Hartke Kickback 12($250 used)for DB & a bit of BG until I replaced it w/an Eden CXC-110(around $1,000 w/CX-110 ext cab). The Hartke did a good job w/a 3/4 solid-top DB; the shape function(a notch filter, I believe)was a very effective feedback tamer. These are fairly common on the used market- try ebay. I imagine the 10" version might be just as good, considering I never needed to turn it up very high, & a lot of bass(frequency)- which I'm thinking would be the major sacrifice going from 12 to 10- is not so good, IME, when amping a DB.

Edit: Another not-too-shabby-for-DB amp I just 'discovered' is my(27+year)old Crate model 1B(their first bass amp). 30 watts, 1x12, gain, treble, bass, volume and a line out in the back for connecting multiple units. Actually serviceable as a doghouse magnifier. WhodathunkTHAT. You will not likely see one of these for sale anytime soon, but it does make me wonder what other previously unconsidered little rigs might work surprisingly well for DB. :hmm:
 
#6
If you're really on a budget, you can try the cheap behringer ultrabass bx1200. The behringer site lists it at 320 CAN$

I use one with a k&k bassmax pickup and it's ok. The shape button & equalisation allows you to get a decent acoustic sound. Not the best sound ever heard but wery good for the price (I've tried a lot of cheap combos and found this one the best for DB). Weight <20kg and like behringer products, you have all needed connection (DI, tuner out, speaker out, direct input to the amplification stage if you already have a preamp...)
I'm dreaming of an ai combo (I've tried one... but too expensive for me at this time).

Sylvain Clément
 
#13
Thanks everyone for all those fast-sprung replies;
i'll search into your advices and suggestions for combo models.

Don't hesitate to add more, would make an eventual good newbie sticky topic.

Cheers,
h.

OH ALSO: more info on the action I intend to put it in: i intend to use that potential comboamp with a 1/2 or 3/4 plywood bass with a fishman full circle.
 
#14
I bought a used GK MB150E for less than $500 several years ago and it's been a great gigging amp.

I know someone who gigs with a SWR WM10, which can be had for very little money used. I think he sounds good. I'm pretty sure you can hit the top of that amps range in some rooms.

I know someone who uses the cheaper SWR LA12. I think he sounds fine getting sound support in really small situations, but wouldn't recommend it for something bigger than that.

If you can get a good deal on an SWR California Blonde used, they're great DB amps. They tend to be tougher to score used, but you might catch one between $450-600 depending on where you live.

There are good reasons to spend + $1,000 for DB amps, but you don't have to.
 
#15
Ahhhh, the ampeg b100r is ok for DB, but not the best choice. I used an swr strawberry blonde for a while that I liked a lot. I think I paid about $500 for it new. Similar to California Blonde, but smaller, and no mic input. Either would work well, as would an swr super redhead. You might look into AI Focus or Contra combos, they work well for doubling. You might also search/read/ask in the double bass forum...
 

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